Should You Use Your Wrists When Chipping Around the Green?
The question of whether to use your wrists when chipping around the green is a common one among golfers. Some golfers advocate for minimal wrist movement, while others suggest using the hands and wrists to some degree. So, what’s the best approach? Let’s dive into the debate and explore the different perspectives.
The Wrist Debate: To Use or Not to Use?
There are numerous theories and assumptions about how to play shots around the green, particularly when it comes to wrist usage. Some golfers swear by a “no wrists” approach, advocating for a putting-like stroke where the shoulders do most of the work. Others suggest a more flexible approach, incorporating some wrist action to add finesse and control.
The variety of opinions can be overwhelming. It’s not uncommon for golfers to receive advice from all directions—friends, fellow golfers, and even strangers. As one PGA professional humorously noted, “There are around 26,000 PGA Professionals in America, but unfortunately, there are around 10 million instructors.”
One common piece of advice is to keep the wrists completely out of the chip shot. The mantra often goes, “Rock your shoulders, don’t use too much right hand, and keep your head still.” But with all these instructions, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and confused. After all, if I struggle to remember to take out the recyclables despite multiple reminders, how can I possibly keep track of all these chipping tips?
Finding Your Chipping Style
So, what’s the true story about chipping around the green? Why do the best players in the world look so relaxed and make it seem so easy, while many golfers at local courses seem perplexed and uncertain?
A lot of the confusion and mechanical thinking golfers experience around the green stems from misunderstandings about wrist use. Observing great players, you’ll often notice more hand and wrist movement than most golfers expect. The common advice to keep “firm wrists” has often been misinterpreted as “tight wrists,” leading to a lack of feel and increasing frustration.
Now, some may argue, “How can you call yourself a Golf Professional if you’re suggesting using the wrists?” It’s important to clarify: the issue isn’t about using or not using the wrists; it’s about finding the right balance. A skillful combination of hands, arms, and body movement can produce a smooth and effective stroke.
The Two Types of Struggling Golfers
There are typically two types of golfers who struggle around the green:
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Golfer 1: This golfer often tries to scoop under the ball, leading to either chunking (hitting the ground before the ball) or skulling (hitting the top of the ball). The common advice they receive is to use less wrist action.
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Golfer 2: Initially a Golfer 1, they were told to lock their wrists and make a pendulum stroke. While this method might work temporarily, it often leads to overly tight wrists and a loss of feel over time.
Golfer 2, in particular, tends to tighten their grip with each shot, believing that wrist movement is the culprit behind poor performance. This belief leads to a cycle of increasingly stiff swings and declining results, reminiscent of Hulk Hogan’s tight grip in a wrestling match.
The Path to Improvement
This scenario often leads golfers to seek out the latest golf books or advice in hopes of finding a quick fix. However, the real solution lies in understanding the fundamentals of a good chipping stroke. It’s not about completely eliminating wrist movement or becoming rigid; it’s about blending feel with mechanics.
Great players don’t use excessive wrist action, but they also don’t lock their wrists entirely. Observing professional golfers, you’ll notice a subtle use of wrists that adds finesse to their chips, without the exaggerated scooping motion often seen in amateur golfers. See our video about Using Your Hands in the Golf Swing to understand more about this finesse.
Conclusion: Striking the Right Balance
The key to effective chipping lies in finding the right balance between feel and mechanics. An overly mechanical approach can strip away the natural feel needed for finesse shots, while too much reliance on feel without structure can lead to inconsistency.
To become a consistent and confident chipper, focus on developing a balanced technique that incorporates a natural wrist movement without overemphasizing it. By doing so, you can approach each chip with the calm confidence of a pro, rather than the tense uncertainty of a novice. Learn more about chipping with our past blog post “Are You Chipping Like A Pro Or Like The Normal Golfer?”
Marc Solomon – Your Instructor For Life
